Do cars needs software updates?

[battmiceter]

I have decided that i am going to service my car myself and not take it to a garage unless something breaks.

Obviousley it wont get any software updates,

will this be a problem or is it all a load of rubbish to get more money out of us?

[fat controller]

The software updates are not like those you get on your computer, in that your car suddenly won't become vulnerable if you don't update the software - however, the software updates done at dealers is more often than not to cure issues that they have found, or make things work a little better than they do now; whether this is likely to cause you any problems is anyone's guess.

The other thing to bear in mind when self servicing is that your book won't be getting stamped, which will almost certainly dent your resale value, and could leave you out in the cold if there is any recalls in the future.

[battmiceter]

i agree that will happen for definate,

but on the plus side i will save a lot on labour costs,

and i know for definate that only the best oil is going in.

[Guest 2]

Is your car 3 years or older?

Fixed-price servicing < Servicing with Audi < Owners area < Audi UK (http://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/servicing-with-audi/affordable-servicing.html)

[eob]

Not VW or Audi, but I got fleeced by Vauxhall for a ""Software Update"" on our Zafira.
I came back from working away and the idle was hunting all over the place and the fuel economy had plummeted. Sensor or something must be away I thought.
The car was out of warranty and had been serviced at an independant using GM parts since new.
Took it to Vauxhall and left it. Half an hour later they called to say it was done!
I popped back (which was a PITA, I would have waited if I had known) and was told it was fixed by a ""Software Update"". No parts required.
Now I work in the software game and I questioned how a program can start using different parameters if all the sensors are OK. Blank stare was the response, so I put it to them that as the car was over 5 years old (by only a couple of months) and hadn't seen a Vauxhall dealer in that time and maybe something underhand was a-foot!
Anyway, I didn't get anywhere with the desk monkey or his organ grinder. So 30 mins work cost me £90!!

[battmiceter]

gutted! that is the kind of thing i worry about, i like having a nice car but cant afford to get ripped off!

Yes A6 Chris, my car is 58 plate so is over 4 years old now, why do you ask?

[fat controller]

gutted! that is the kind of thing i worry about, i like having a nice car but cant afford to get ripped off!

Yes A6 Chris, my car is 58 plate so is over 4 years old now, why do you ask?

See the link in Chris' post - fixed price servicing at Audi dealers that is pretty close price wise to the prices you would get from an indy.

[battmiceter]

An interim service at audi is £149,

I can buy 8 litres of castrol edge and an oil filter for £85.

That leaves me 3 litres after the oil change either for top ups or the next oil change.

[Pauls898]

Plus when I went to book my Audi A4 in for a service they wanted £161.94 for what they call an inspection!!!! They don't actually do anything just do 141 point check lol and when I asked about changing my brake fluid I thought it was one of the items on their so called fixed priced service items for £59.00 I was told my car didn't qualify simply because the engine was too big!!!!! WHAT's THE ENGINE GOT TO DO WITH THE BRAKES!!!! They quoted £121.75 more than double!! I just walked away and I won't be using Audi UK for any services in future!!! Bl**dy rob dogs! I went back to my independent dealer who simply reset this service message, saying I didn't need anything doing and he didn't even charge me a penny!! Now that's what I call a good dealer!! I shall take it back to him when the oil requires changing and he can go over the whole car then and change the brake fluid.

[battmiceter]

I could agree more, complete rip off!

Before this car i baught an 05 plate A4 from leeds audi for 12.5 grand.

After 1 week i took it back because hand break light was constantly on, they replaced a sticking relay free of charge.

After 2 weeks i took it back because the clutch was slipping in first gear only to find that the warrenty did not cover it.
They then tried blaming my driving for ruining the clutch in 14 days!
after a lot and lot of arguing the finally agreed to replace 1 of 3 clutch plates but it was never 100% even after the fix.

I sent it in for a major service (40K) and they replaced the fuel filter.
they also decided to drive another car in to the back of it! they agreed to replace the rear bumper but needed to take it to harrogate VW due to not having a spray shop in leeds.
When they braught it back it was the wrong colour, what a surprise! they wouldnt sort it out for another 2 weeks due to not having a spare courtesy car.
when they finally decided to fix it they drove it back from harrogate to leeds, and the guy boasted to me how it made it all the way back with no fuel in the tank!

Thanks pal, there was my brand new fuel filter i had paid them hundreds to replace all clogged up with gunk from the bottom of the fuel tank.

As you can guess i dare not leave my car in the hands of leeds audi for fear it may not make it back to me!

If that is not the worst car buying experience from a main dealer you have ever heard of please let me know yours!

[fat controller]

An interim service at audi is £149,

I can buy 8 litres of castrol edge and an oil filter for £85.

That leaves me 3 litres after the oil change either for top ups or the next oil change.

You can get 6 litres and a filter from one of the forum sponsors, Opie Oils, for less than that - they have service packs starting from £53 (5 litres + 1 litre oil, and filter), not forgetting that forum members get 10% off as well. Very helpful and friendly people to deal with too. :)

[battmiceter]

brilliant, how do i find that? where abouts on the site is it?

[fat controller]

The directory of all the site sponsors is here (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?215-Site-Sponsors-Directory-Of-Site-Sponsors) and the Opie Oils section is here (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?94-Opieoils)

Their website is here
(http://www.opieoils.co.uk/)
EDIT - and HERE (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?135404-Opie-Oils-Club-discount-update-for-forum-members) is the instructions to get 10% discount.

[battmiceter]

thanks

[theskyfox]

I answer to the original question "Do cars need software updates", I'd say yes. I know that audi did a lot of updates over the last few years for things like adjusting DPF regeneration settings etc. As a rule of thumb, if software is installed on something then it can be updated (Whether or not the original developers bother to make any updates is another question). Whilst it most likely won't do any harm by never updating software, it can mean you miss out on new tweaks, functionality or general bug fixes. (I'm a Software Engineer by trade). Best to keep it up to date, I'd like to think Audi make updates based on customer feedback and lab testing!

-Andrew